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Josh Mauga
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Joshua Mauga /ˈmɔːɡə/ (born June 20, 1987) is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Nevada Wolf Pack and was signed by the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2009.
Key Information
Early life
[edit]Mauga was born in Fallon, Nevada.[1][2] He graduated in 2005 from Churchill County High School where he earned All-State and All-region honors. He was also the top heavyweight wrestler in the state of Nevada.
College career
[edit]Mauga was named to The Sporting News All-Freshman team in 2005 after play all season games and notched 32 tackles. In 2006 was second on the team with 56 tackles and also intercepted 3 passes. He moved from outside linebacker to the inside linebacker position in that year. In 2007, he was the WAC leader in tackles before an MCL injury kept him out, he tied on second on team tackles with 82. He was named team captain, an honor rarely bestowed on a junior at Nevada. In his senior season he entered as a contender for WAC Defensive Player of the Year. He played through a torn pectoral muscle managing 54 tackles, 7.5 for loss and 3.5 sacks. He underwent surgery on his torn pectoral muscle on December 17 that cost him playing in the 2008 Humanitarian Bowl.
Professional career
[edit]Pre-draft
[edit]Mauga left Nevada alongside Marko Mitchell for the 2009 NFL draft. He was limited to cardiovascular training and lower body weightlifting to be ready for the Nevada Pro Day.
New York Jets
[edit]2009
[edit]On August 16, 2009, Mauga signed with the New York Jets. He was waived/injured on August 28 and subsequently reverted to injured reserve, only to be released with an injury settlement on September 1.
Mauga was re-signed to the Jets' practice squad on December 10, 2009, but released December 20.
2010
[edit]He was re-signed to a future contract on January 6, 2010.
On September 3, 2010, the Jets waived Mauga who was unable to practice during training camp due to a concussion.[3] Mauga was signed to the team's practice squad on September 6, 2010.
Mauga debuted for the Jets against the Green Bay Packers.[4] On October 9, 2012, he was placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn pectoral muscle during a game against the Houston Texans on Monday Night Football.[5]
Kansas City Chiefs
[edit]Mauga signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on July 24, 2014. On August 30, 2016, he was placed on injured reserve.[6] On July 6, 2017, Mauga re-signed with the Chiefs.[7] He was released on August 28, 2017.[8]
NFL career statistics
[edit]| Legend | |
|---|---|
| Bold | Career high |
Regular season
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | TFL | Int | Yds | TD | Lng | PD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | ||
| 2010 | NYJ | 8 | 0 | 14 | 12 | 2 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2011 | NYJ | 16 | 1 | 25 | 17 | 8 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2012 | NYJ | 5 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | KAN | 16 | 16 | 103 | 82 | 21 | 0.5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | KAN | 14 | 14 | 58 | 46 | 12 | 1.0 | 4 | 2 | 70 | 0 | 66 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 59 | 31 | 205 | 161 | 44 | 1.5 | 10 | 3 | 81 | 0 | 66 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Playoffs
[edit]| Year | Team | Games | Tackles | Interceptions | Fumbles | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GP | GS | Cmb | Solo | Ast | Sck | TFL | Int | Yds | TD | Lng | PD | FF | FR | Yds | TD | ||
| 2010 | NYJ | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | KAN | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 0 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 20 | 0 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw | Timo |
References
[edit]- ^ Wong, Denise (February 25, 2019). "Former Fallon football star finds second career in movies". www.kolotv.com. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ ncs-import. "Josh Mauga prepares for 4th year in NFL". www.nevadaappeal.com. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
- ^ Mehta, Manish (September 3, 2010). "Jets in process of trimming roster to 53". New York Daily News. Archived from the original on September 7, 2010. Retrieved September 3, 2010.
- ^ Vrentas, Jenny (October 31, 2010), "Linebacker Josh Mauga active vs. Packers for first NFL game", NJ.com, The Star-Ledger, archived from the original on November 11, 2010, retrieved October 31, 2010
- ^ Orr, Conor (October 10, 2012). "Jets sign former Colts, Packers DT Daniel Muir in wake of D-line injuries". The Star-Ledger. Archived from the original on October 12, 2012. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
- ^ Kissel, BJ. "Justin Houston Placed on PUP List, Josh Mauga Out for the Season". Chiefs.com. Archived from the original on September 2, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
- ^ Alper, Josh (July 6, 2017). "Chiefs bring back Josh Mauga, sign Steven Terrell". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
- ^ Gantt, Darin (August 28, 2017). "Chiefs release linebacker Josh Mauga". ProFootballTalk.NBCSports.com.
External links
[edit]- New York Jets bio Archived October 31, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- Nevada Wolf Pack football bio
- Joshua Mauga IMDB Biography
Josh Mauga
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life
Childhood and family
Josh Mauga was born on June 20, 1987, in Ewa Beach, Hawaii.[7] His family, of Samoan descent, relocated to Fallon, Nevada, in 1995 when Mauga was eight years old.[8][9] The second oldest of eight siblings, Mauga was raised by his parents, Matua and Esther Mauga, in a close-knit household that emphasized family and physical activity, reflecting their Polynesian cultural roots.[8] His father's encouragement toward competitiveness and aggression began shaping his athletic mindset during these formative years.[8] This early environment in Hawaii and later in rural Fallon laid the foundation for Mauga's interest in sports, leading into his high school involvement in football and wrestling.[8]High school career
Josh Mauga attended Churchill County High School in Fallon, Nevada, where he emerged as a standout multi-sport athlete during his tenure from 2001 to 2005. Originally from Ewa Beach, Hawaii, Mauga relocated with his family to Fallon prior to high school, adapting quickly to the local athletic scene. He graduated in 2005, balancing rigorous athletic commitments with his studies, though specific academic honors are not widely documented in available records.[1][10] In football, Mauga excelled as a linebacker, earning All-State and All-Region honors for his defensive prowess on the Churchill County Greenwave team. His physicality and leadership on the field made him a dominant force, contributing significantly to the team's efforts in the Northern 4A region. Mauga's versatility extended to wrestling, where he claimed the Nevada state championship in the heavyweight division during his senior year in 2005, solidifying his reputation as the top wrestler in the state.[10][11][12] Mauga also competed in track and field, achieving further accolades by winning the state discus title in 2005 with a throw that set a school record and ranked as the second-best in Nevada history at the time. He secured the regional shot put championship that year while finishing as state runner-up in the event, showcasing his explosive strength across multiple disciplines. These accomplishments highlighted his dedication and athletic versatility at Churchill County High School.[12][11]College career
Early years at Nevada
Josh Mauga, a standout linebacker from Churchill County High School in Fallon, Nevada, committed to the University of Nevada, Reno, on January 21, 2005, and signed his national letter of intent on February 1, 2005, as part of the Wolf Pack's 2005 recruiting class. As a highly regarded local prospect, Mauga was one of four Northern Nevada signees that year, bringing his athleticism from high school football and wrestling to the program under head coach Chris Ault. His recruitment emphasized his versatility and physical presence, positioning him as a key addition to the linebacker corps.[13][14] In his freshman season of 2005, Mauga quickly adapted to college-level play, appearing in all 12 games for the Nevada Wolf Pack and recording 32 total tackles (16 solo, 16 assisted), along with 6.0 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 2 pass deflections. His performance earned him a spot on The Sporting News All-Freshman Team, recognizing his immediate impact on the defense despite the team's 6-6 record. Mauga's high school wrestling background provided a strong foundation for the physical demands of linebacker play, helping him excel in run support and pursuit.[15][16][17] As a sophomore in 2006, Mauga earned a starting role, playing and starting all 12 games while tallying 56 total tackles (36 solo, 20 assisted), 2.5 tackles for loss, 3 interceptions (including one in the MPC Computers Bowl against Miami (FL)), and 2 forced fumbles. These contributions placed him second on the team in tackles and bolstered Nevada's defense during an 8-5 season that culminated in a 20-21 bowl loss. His interceptions highlighted his coverage skills, marking a progression in his development as a versatile defender in the Wolf Pack's scheme.[16][18]Later achievements and injuries
In his junior year of 2007, Mauga was selected as one of Nevada's team captains by his teammates, a role he shared with defensive tackle Matt Hines.[19] He emerged as a defensive leader, topping the Western Athletic Conference in tackles through the Wolf Pack's first seven games with an average of 11.7 per game.[20] However, a torn medial collateral ligament (MCL) in his knee sidelined him for the remainder of the regular season, limiting him to eight games overall where he recorded 82 total tackles, including 4 tackles for loss and 1 sack.[8] Mauga returned for the New Mexico Bowl, contributing 11 tackles in Nevada's 0-23 loss to the Lobos.[20] As a senior in 2008, Mauga demonstrated remarkable resilience by playing through a torn pectoral muscle for much of the season, refusing surgery until after Nevada's campaign concluded.[21] Despite the injury, he started all 13 games and tallied 54 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and 1 interception returned for a touchdown, helping anchor the Wolf Pack defense.[16][22] His performance earned consideration as a top defensive talent in the WAC entering the year, building on his prior statistical dominance.[20] Over his four-year college career at Nevada, Mauga amassed 224 total tackles, 20 tackles for loss, 7 sacks, 4 interceptions, and 5 forced fumbles, establishing himself as one of the program's most productive linebackers.[16] His captaincy in 2007, an uncommon honor for a junior, marked significant personal growth in leadership, where he mentored younger teammates like James-Michael Johnson on film study and on-field execution, contributing to the development of Nevada's linebacker corps.[19][20] Despite injuries curtailing his availability, Mauga's toughness and vocal presence bolstered team morale and defensive cohesion during challenging seasons.[21]Professional career
Entry into the NFL and New York Jets
Mauga went undrafted in the 2009 NFL Draft following a productive college career at the University of Nevada and signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent on August 17, 2009.[23] His rookie year proved challenging due to injuries; he was waived with an injury settlement on August 29, and signed to the practice squad on December 10.[24][25] In 2010, Mauga remained on the practice squad until his promotion to the active roster on October 26.[26] He appeared in eight regular-season games and three playoff contests, logging 14 tackles (12 solo) primarily on special teams, marking his debut as an active NFL contributor.[1] The following year, Mauga broke out as a dependable backup inside linebacker, playing all 16 games with one start and recording season-high totals of 25 tackles (17 solo), one interception for 11 yards, and one pass defensed.[1] His versatility helped provide depth to a Jets defense that ranked 12th in total yards allowed that season.[27] Mauga's 2012 campaign was limited to five games and five tackles before a torn pectoral muscle suffered during a October 8 loss to the Houston Texans sidelined him for the remainder of the year; he was placed on injured reserve on October 10.[28] He did not appear in any games during the 2013 season, having been placed on injured reserve on September 1 with a back injury sustained in training camp.[29] Over his Jets tenure from 2009 to 2013, Mauga transitioned from practice squad depth to a core special teams player and rotational defender, amassing 44 tackles, one interception, and demonstrating the injury resilience honed during his college years at Nevada.[1] His contributions underscored the value of undrafted players in bolstering linebacker depth amid frequent injuries to starters like Bart Scott.Kansas City Chiefs tenure
Mauga signed with the Kansas City Chiefs on July 24, 2014, as an unrestricted free agent following three seasons with the New York Jets, securing a one-year contract worth $645,000.[30][31] In his debut season, he emerged as a key contributor in the Chiefs' defense, starting all 16 games at inside linebacker and recording 103 combined tackles (82 solo), along with 0.5 sacks.[1] His performance earned him a three-year contract extension on March 6, 2015, valued at $8.25 million, including a $2.25 million signing bonus, positioning him as a veteran anchor in the linebacker corps.[31][32] The 2015 season saw Mauga start 14 regular-season games, amassing 58 combined tackles (46 solo) and 1 sack, while adding two interceptions for 70 yards during a campaign that propelled the Chiefs to the playoffs.[1] He appeared in both postseason games, further solidifying his role in the defensive scheme under coordinator Bob Sutton.[33] However, his momentum was halted in 2016 when a labral tear in his hip sidelined him; the Chiefs placed him on injured reserve on August 30, causing him to miss the entire season.[34] Seeking to reclaim his spot, Mauga re-signed with the Chiefs on July 6, 2017, to a one-year deal worth $775,000.[35][31] Despite his prior experience, he did not play in any games that preseason and was released by the team on August 28, 2017, as part of roster cuts.[36]NFL career statistics
Regular season
Mauga's NFL regular season career spanned five seasons with the New York Jets (2010–2012) and Kansas City Chiefs (2014–2015), during which he appeared in 59 games, starting 31. Over this period, he recorded 205 combined tackles (161 solo, 44 assisted), 10 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 3 interceptions for 81 return yards, 7 passes defended, and 8 quarterback hits.[1] The following table summarizes his year-by-year regular season defensive statistics:| Year | Team | Games (GS) | Combined Tackles | Solo | Assisted | Sacks | Interceptions (Yards) | Tackles for Loss | Passes Defended |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | NYJ | 8 (0) | 14 | 12 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 (0) | 1 | 0 |
| 2011 | NYJ | 16 (1) | 25 | 17 | 8 | 0.0 | 1 (11) | 1 | 1 |
| 2012 | NYJ | 5 (0) | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0.0 | 0 (0) | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | KC | 16 (16) | 103 | 82 | 21 | 0.5 | 0 (0) | 4 | 3 |
| 2015 | KC | 14 (14) | 58 | 46 | 12 | 1.0 | 2 (70) | 4 | 3 |
| Career | - | 59 (31) | 205 | 161 | 44 | 1.5 | 3 (81) | 10 | 7 |
Playoffs
Mauga appeared in five NFL playoff games across his career, recording a total of 6 tackles (4 solo, 2 assisted) and 1 interception for 20 yards.[37] His postseason contributions were limited primarily to special teams and rotational defensive duties as an inside linebacker. During the 2010 playoffs with the New York Jets, Mauga played in all three games but had minimal defensive impact, totaling 3 tackles. He recorded no tackles in the Wild Card victory over the Indianapolis Colts, 1 assisted tackle in the Divisional round win against the New England Patriots, and 2 tackles (1 solo, 1 assisted) in the AFC Championship loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.[37] In the 2015 postseason with the Kansas City Chiefs, Mauga saw increased snaps due to injuries in the linebacker corps. He started both games, recording 3 solo tackles and his lone career playoff interception in the Wild Card shutout win over the Houston Texans, where he picked off quarterback Brian Hoyer's pass at the goal line to thwart a scoring opportunity.[37][38] In the subsequent Divisional round loss to the New England Patriots, Mauga did not record any tackles.[37]| Date | Team | Opponent | Result | Solo | Ast | Total Tackles | INT | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 8, 2011 | NYJ | @ IND | W 17-16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Special teams role. |
| Jan 16, 2011 | NYJ | @ NWE | W 28-21 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | Rotational defender. |
| Jan 23, 2011 | NYJ | @ PIT | L 19-24 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | Limited snaps. |
| Jan 9, 2016 | KC | @ HOU | W 30-0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 1 (20 yds) | Goal-line INT on Hoyer. |
| Jan 16, 2016 | KC | @ NWE | L 20-27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Started but no stats. |